Vuelta a Espana race director, Javier Guillén has outlined his plans for the race through to the 2020 edition of the Spanish Grand Tour. Guillén, Fernando Escartín, race technical director, and Kiko García, the voice of race radio, spent Wednesday at the Madrid offices of Spanish daily AS, outlining his plan for four stages on the Canary Islands, an excursion into the Portuguese mountains and possible stage visit in Morocco. Ideas that "combine tradition with innovation," he said.
"We would like to reach Ceuta and Melilla, perhaps through a visit to Morocco. But above all, we think of the Canaries. I dream of four finishing four stages, two in Gran Canaria and two in Tenerife," he outlined to AS of the plans to visit the autonomous Spanish cities on the coast of North Africa.
In 2015, it was suggested the 2017 Vuelta could feature two mountain top finishes at Pico de las Nieves and Mount Teide. Guillen also attempted to plan a visit in 2012 with budget and logistics ultimately leading to the postponement of his dream.
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Describing the Canary Islands stages as "a logistical challenge that is worthwhile," Guillén explained that all infrastructure would be moved by boat and take around 26 hours. The riders would be transported via plane with an estimated cost of €2 million.
"If we get it right, we talk from 2020, and we would involve any of the available stakeholders, local institutions, the national government and even special sponsors for the occasion," he said.
Tiede and Tenerife has been key training locations for professional teams in recent years. Although due to the high costs associated, and the several stages requited to justify such an excursion, the 1988 Vuelta remains the only time the race has visited the islands.
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